Why aren't we doing this?

Brazil is taking measures to stop chopping down as much Amazon rain forest. Spain recently signed into law a renewable energy bill, with the goal that in five years or so, 12% of the country's energy will come from renewable resources. Italy joins Spain and Germany in offering monetary incentives to use solar power.

The US has never been as environmentally friendly, but at least it's trying. We've passed new fuel economy standards...that fail to include the biggest of SUVs, like Hummers. What the hell?
This could not be a better time to impose fuel economy standards. Gas is more expensive than ever, but we now have the technology to increase mpg. In three years, we could all be driving cars that get 40, 50 mpg. Well we could have, if we made some incentives for American auto companies to put this technology in place.
A legitimate concern: safety. The Administration claims that making cars lighter decreases safety. It can, but it doesn't have to. As if the government can't put safety regulations in place?

Update: Injinuity points out that the US government gives tax write-offs for buying Hummers and other enormous SUVs. Word is that it's a loophole, something that was supposed to benefit small business owners but is used mostly by rich people. I wonder if it ever got repealed?